Even though nearly half of all international research funds for Danish universities come from other sources than the EU, the scope of all the varying and possible sources of funding beyond Horizon 2020 makes them difficult for universities to target in their strategies for external funding.

University research support units (RSO) play a key role in supporting researchers in applying for money from international funding bodies – not least in the case of international funding bodies beyond Horizon 2020. DEA’s study, however, has had an explicit focus on researchers and managers at Danish universities rather than the RSO’s. Consequently, the study only scratches the surfaces of understanding the role of RSO’s in a strategic focus on raising international research funding beyond Horizon 2020.

What are the prospects and limits for the proactive role of the RSO? What are the prospects for a coordinated effort between The Ministry for Higher Education and Research – i.e. the Innovation Centers – and the universities? And what is the potential for better collaboration between Danish universities?

On November 1st 2016, the Danish Think Tank DEA, and the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation will address these questions as part of the seminar on, how Danish universities can better access research funding beyond the EU. The seminar will take place at Børsgade 4, 1215 København K. and will include the launch of the second report on the International outlook of Danish research by DEA with financial support from The Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation.

The conference will be in English and has a maximum capacity of 60 participants to stimulate discussion between speakers and the audience. Participation is free but registration is required.

One week prior to the conference, participants will be forwarded DEA’s report on attracting international research funding beyond the EU. The final report will be published after the conference, incorporating relevant questions and remarks.

Conference program

13:00

Welcome by Hans Müller Pedersen, General Director of the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation

13.05

Presentation of analysis on attracting international research funding by Senior Consultant Jeppe Wohlert, The Think Tank DEA

What are the prospects of attracting more research funding beyond the EU?

- 10 min. presentation and 15 min. debate.

13:15

What are the possibilities for better national collaboration on attracting international funding? by Alan Irwin, Vice President for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Professor, Department of Organization, Copenhagen Business School

13:40

Targeting US funding by John Westensee, Vice Director, AU Research Support and External Relations, Aarhus University

14:05

Break

14:15

Expectations of funding international beyond the EU by Morten Pejrup, Associate Dean for Research, Professor, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen

14:40

To boldly go where no applicant has gone before: research support exploring new funding sources by Olaf Svenningsen, Executive Officer, PhD, Southern Denmark Research Support, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark